An extremely rare Winchester three-panel triangle mobile-style die-cut poster sold for $13,080, a new world auction record, in an Internet and catalog auction that ended March 21-22 by SoldUSA.com. In all, about 1,600 lots changes hands.

March 31, 2009 - PRLog -- (MATTHEWS, N.C.) – An extremely rare Winchester three-panel triangle mobile-style die-cut poster soared to $13,080 in an Internet and catalog auction held by SoldUSA.com, the premier hunting, fishing, militaria and collectibles site. The auction went online in February and concluded March 21-22. It was a new world auction record for a Winchester three-panel triangle mobile-style die-cut poster.

“This sale supported my belief that there’s no evidence the economy is affecting tangible investments whatsoever,” said Chris Roberts, president of SoldUSA.com. “High prices, and in some cases record prices, were paid across the spectrum. Also, we had more than 10,000 individual bidders –the most we’ve seen in 20 years -- and took over four million hits across the last two days of the sale.”

The auction featured over 300 lots of fishing lures and collectibles; 150 lots of advertising; and over 1,000 lots of militaria and firearms – about 1,600 lots in all. “Nearly every item saw very high, in many cases above-retail, prices paid,” Mr. Roberts noted. “Some new world records were posted. The lots were superior and the activity was strong. I attribute that to great product and advertising intensity.”

The Winchester three-panel die-cut was patented on Feb. 9, 1909 by John Ingelstroem Co. It featured a quail, a rabbit and a big horned sheep, measured 15 inches by 21-1/2 inches and had never been folded. There was one panel each for shotgun shells, .22 ammunition and big game cartridges. The rare poster had the original instructions on the reverse side and even had the original string still attached.

Following are additional hunting highlights from the sale. All prices quoted include a 13 percent buyer’s premium.

The auction’s top lot was a Winchester Model 1890 bullet board, completely untouched in the original frame and with the original backing. It soared to $22,600. The board had all the factory original cartridges, including the famous 70-150 round. The lithograph was in great condition, with no damage and no fading or missing paper. And the six primer tins were original and untouched – not replacements.

A rare and unusual Winchester neon hanging clock (circa 1930-1933) rose to $6,215. The clock and neon were both in good working order. It was meant for probable use in a large Winchester store or distribution house (possibly for one of the two anchor stores, in San Francisco or New York). The clock would be hung at the corner of a store (most likely outside) so it would be visible from both directions.

A Winchester Store Guns & Ammunition poster, depicting two men hunting and a large buck, hit the mark at $3,237 (against a pre-sale estimate of $2,000). The blue, yellow, green, red and white poster measured 12 inches by 18-1/4 inches and had bands top and bottom. It was printed by the International Sign & Letter Co., of Cleveland, Ohio. The edges showed some light wear; otherwise, it was near-mint.

A Peters promotional fold-out store window poster (circa 1935), in three parts with the lower two mallards not attached to the center piece, climbed to $1,305. The lot also included the original mailer with instructions on how the poster should look when displayed. The piece measured 27 inches by 36 inches, unframed, and was in near-mint condition. Very few of these unusual posters are in existence.

A Peters advertising counter-top die-cut sign – reading “Peters Complete Line of .22's,” “Smokeless, Rustless, Gildkote, Lubricated Lead, Semi-Smokeless” -- garnered $1,243. The sign showed all of the cartridges of the period, as well as a full-box Peters High Velocity .22 caliber long rifle (No. 2254). The easel on the reverse side had never been used. Overall, the piece was in fine shape.

Following are some militaria and firearms highlights from the sale (also reflecting a 13 percent buyer’s premium).

An original World War II SS Allach 10-inch German SS rune wall-mount china plate hammered for $2,996. The 10-inch diameter white plate had the SS runes in the center, surrounded by oak leaves. The reverse side was marked with SS runes and the word ‘Allach’ in green lettering. Also, a World War II Nazi police officer’s sword with scabbard, 39 inches long and made by Alosco, topped out at $771.

A World War II Kriegsmarine Nazi naval dagger with scabbard, made by WKC with Portapee, went for $785. The dagger, with a twisted celluloid grip, featured a 10-inch blade etched with extra fancy scrolls. It was in very good plus condition. Also, a World War II Luftwaffe 1st Pattern 12-inch double-edged dagger with hanger, made by Puma with no markings on the obverse, gaveled for $706.

A World War II German SA early type dagger, made by C. & R. Linder Solinger, unit marked WM and with the motto “Alles Fur Deutschland” on the obverse side of the blade, changed hands for $593. Also, a World War II German Luftwaffe raw-edge M42 single decal combat helmet, size 62 shell, with complete liner and full correct chin strap, clean and unplayed-with, found a new owner for $536.

An Imperial German era hunting knife with a hunting scene engraved on the blade commanded $427. The knife, made by Garantiert, Solingen, had a 13-inch double-sided blade, leather scabbard and wonderful age patina. Also, a Rhode Island veteran’s Civil War kepi cap in original condition brought $374. The size 7-1/4 kepi with intact liner was heavily embroidered on the top and front with oak leaves.

A World War II German double decal lightweight black-painted Nazi Civil Police helmet, with bordered police eagle and swastika national color shield, in overall very good condition, hit $279. Also, a World War II German Luftschutz Gladiator 3-piece air defense construction helmet made $226. The all original helmet had blue paint with spread winged eagle decal, clean liner and original draw string.

SoldUSA.com is one of the oldest Internet companies in the world. It was launched in 1990 as the brainchild of Ronnie Roberts, who started the firm as Dixie Sporting Collectibles. Mr. Roberts very shrewdly took note of the young company’s success with Internet sales and grew it into what it is today: SoldUSA.com, the premier hunting collectibles Internet auction site, with over 30,000 registered users.

SoldUSA.com’s next big sale will go online sometime in May and feature hunting and fishing collectibles, firearms, militaria and other quality collectibles. Consignments are still being accepted for this and future sales. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call them directly, at (704) 815-1500; or e-mail them at croberts@SoldUSA.com. For more info, log on to www.SoldUSA.com.

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Ken Hall writes pre-sale and post-sale press releases for auction houses, for a fee ($250 US$). He writes, submits and tracks stories for clients. Submissions are published in trade magazines, posted on industry websites and appear in local newspapers.